How do cysts and abscesses form?
Bartholin's glands are paired pea-sized formations located in the thickness of the labia majora. Their ducts open at the entrance to the vagina. Normally, the gland is invisible and cannot be felt.
If the duct becomes blocked - due to inflammation, injury, thickening of the secretion - fluid accumulates inside and a cyst forms. It may be painless and not bother you for a long time. When bacteria get into it, an abscess develops: the formation quickly increases, becomes sharply painful, and the skin over it turns red.
- Sexually transmitted infections - gonococcus, chlamydia
- Opportunistic and intestinal flora
- Microtrauma during sexual intercourse
- Epilation and depilation of the bikini area
- Wearing tight synthetic underwear
- Violation of hygiene rules or, conversely, aggressive hygiene
- Decreased immunity, hypothermia
- Diabetes mellitus
- Previous surgeries in this area
Symptoms
- Cyst: a painless or mildly painful formation in the lower part of the labia majora
- Foreign body sensation and discomfort when walking and sitting
- Discomfort during sexual intercourse
- Abscess: rapid growth in one to two days
- Severe throbbing pain
- Redness and swelling of the skin over the lesion
- Increased body temperature
- Inability to sit and walk normally
- Asymmetry of the labia
- Spontaneous opening with discharge of pus and temporary relief
Diagnostics
- Examination by a gynecologist - characteristic location and type of formation
- Culture of contents with determination of sensitivity to antibiotics
- PCR for sexually transmitted infections
- Flora smear
- Blood glucose - especially during relapses
- Ultrasound with an unclear picture
- Biopsy or histological examination of a distant tumor in women over 40 years old - to exclude rare tumors
- Examination of a partner when identifying an STI
Treatment
- Small asymptomatic cyst - observation, warm sitz baths
- Antibacterial therapy for infection, selected by culture
- Painkillers
- Simple opening and drainage of the abscess - quickly relieves pain, but gives a high frequency of relapses
- Installation of a special catheter to form a permanent duct reduces the likelihood of relapse
- Marsupialization - suturing the edges of the opened cavity to the skin to form a new duct mouth; preferred method for relapses
- Excision of a Bartholin gland cyst is a radical option for recurring episodes
- Removal of the gland - in case of frequent relapses and ineffectiveness of other methods
- Treatment of concomitant infections and partners for STIs
- Compensation for diabetes mellitus
Relapse Prevention
- Full treatment of identified infections, including treatment of the partner
- Compensation for diabetes mellitus
- Wearing loose-fitting cotton underwear
- Caution when epilating the bikini area, skin treatment
- Gentle hygiene without aggressive antiseptics
- Avoiding hypothermia
- Timely treatment when a formation appears, without waiting for suppuration
- Choosing a radical treatment method for recurrent episodes
Where is treatment in Tashkent
An examination by a gynecologist, laboratory diagnostics and the ability to perform an intervention are required - from drainage to excision of the gland.
In Tashkent, treatment of bartholinitis and Bartholin gland cysts, including outpatient excision, is carried out at the UROLOGIC COMPLEX medical center and at the Tashkent Medical Park clinic.
Do not try to squeeze out or open the formation yourself: this leads to the spread of infection to surrounding tissues and significantly complicates subsequent treatment. Clinic contacts are below.
